Although a diagnosis like cancer is feared by everyone, prevention of this disease is still potentially low. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in 2020 one third of cases —- even in the most common types —- could have been prevented with timely medical follow-up, even cured with early detection.
In fact, more and more evidence is accumulating that this, like other chronic diseases, is also preventable; and this is hopeful if you want to take control over this condition and prevent it from “coming out of nowhere.” The first step is to put the emphasis on cancer prevention, early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Cancer prevention: the value of primary care
Many health professionals have been concerned about integrating cancer prevention into primary care, even when you go to them for seemingly common pain or discomfort, such as back pain or headache. They then talk about diseases that could affect your health in the future, and the risk factors you may be presenting: do you smoke? Are you overweight? Do you have relatives with cancer?
These small interventions during consultations to warn about any danger are effective in changing and identifying harmful behaviors in time. Contrary to what you may believe, only 30% of the risks of developing many types of common cancers are innate, the rest comes from things that can be modified. There is no shortage of reasons to say that this is the first line of defense to prevent cancer. If there is suspicion or a need for monitoring, the doctor will refer you to a specialist oncologist who will surely know what to do and how to support you.
Secondary care and early diagnosis
In secondary care, it is used to identify precancerous lesions and take measures to prevent the progression of malignant abnormalities. It also detects and diagnoses cancer at a very early stage, even when there is no suspicion of it. The goal is to offer you early treatment and greater benefits: hope, medical support, timely care, increased quality of life, all from the hands of highly trained oncology specialists.
As we said, it is important that you go to this type of care even when everything is apparently fine, especially if you add several risk factors for this disease. JAMA Oncology maintains that 25% of women and 33% of men with cancer in 2016 could have been avoided with an early diagnosis and adequate treatment.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) maintains that one third of cancer cases in 2020 —- even the most common types —- could have been avoided with an early diagnosis and adequate treatment.
“Despite considerable advances in cancer therapies, (...) effective and early detection offers the best hope of further reducing mortality from this disease,” as Kyle J. Gu and Guojun Li explain in their book An Overview of Cancer Prevention.
Knowing this, many people at risk are regularly evaluated, others go at the request of a primary care physician or by their own choice. Remember that it is not necessary to wait for the pathology to manifest clinically to see an oncologist. This is also an important way to prevent cancer.
How to prevent cancer by changing your habits
There are enough studies to support cancer prevention through certain habits and activities, often related to four areas: exercise, weight control, tobacco and alcohol habits. Also considering other areas of high incidence such as stress management, sun exposure and early detection of abnormalities.
Returning to the data from JAMA Oncology, their research determined that people with healthy levels in all the areas mentioned were considered to be in a “low risk group for cancer” compared to the levels shown by those who did not belong to this group.
The following activities are part of primary care and the easiest way for the general public to take care of themselves from this abnormality. So, if you are wondering how to prevent cancer by modifying your habits, here are five options.
1. Avoid tobacco
Smoking is a known risk factor for several types of cancer, even if you are a passive smoker. Avoiding it will significantly reduce your risk of developing it. In fact, about 82% of women and 78% of those with lung cancer could have avoided their diagnosis with healthy lifestyle changes.
2. Limit alcohol consumption
There is strong evidence that alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, liver and even breast cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women, according to PAHO.
3. Physical activity
Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle with regular physical exercise can reduce your risk of several types of cancer. It is recommended that you do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise each week: walking, cycling, dance therapy, yoga and the like.
You can also try 75 minutes of exercise that significantly raises your heart rate and breathing: running or jogging, fast cycling, swimming, stair climbing, jumping rope, and the like.
4. Weight control
Controlling your body weight is another way to prevent colon, prostate and other types of cancer. It is well known that being overweight and obese contribute to the appearance of many other diagnoses that are equally harmful to your health. Take care of your diet and maintain a weight proportional to your age and height.
5. Sun protection
The risk of skin cancer increases when you have excessive exposure to the sun and other forms of ultraviolet radiation. Ideally, you should avoid the hours of greatest intensity: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Also, protect yourself with outdoor items: hat, sunglasses, special shirts.
6. Vaccination
Vaccinations against viruses associated with cancer are also necessary. Vaccination against HPV (Human Papillomavirus) can prevent cervical cancer and vaccination against hepatitis B can prevent the risk of liver cancer.
Timely treatment and where to find it
Reducing or controlling the symptoms and morbidity of a diagnosed cancer or the subsequent therapy to treat it is also a form of prevention.
When you face this disease, and even when you go to secondary care, it is ideal to be accompanied by oncologists who know how to guide you along this path with confidence, knowing that you have experienced specialists at your side, following your case to act according to what you need.
At Astorga, an oncology clinic, we are committed to providing you with specialized care and cutting-edge therapies to treat highly complex cancer, under the human quality that you need at this time. We are with you, we support you, we answer your questions and those of your loved ones.
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